Was lucky enough to find a very cheap weekend getaway to Riga, Latvia. Of course, I wanted to go for a run, and what's the best encouragement for that? A little history! Connecting to the place not only as it is, but as it was and has been!
Join me on a run across the ancient bastions and a section of the medieval city wall. First, a quick overview of the history of the fortifications, then a boots on the ground, up close look. Finally, a speedrun timewarp of the whole route.
This outing is not far, by distance. Maybe five kilometers? (Around three miles?) But historically? It stretches back to the Northern Crusades and artifacts of the 1400 through 1800s.
Settlements in the area go back to ancient tribes of what the Roman's called Curonians. Tellingly, they're described as feared opponents of Scandinavian Vikings. Indeed, this area has been fought over by northmen, whether Germanic (e.g. Teutonic knights, Nazis) Scandanavian (e.g. Sweden, Denmark) or Russian (e.g. Novgorod Republic, Soviets), seemingly since the dawn of time. Officially, Riga was founded in 1201 and was a member of the Germanic Hanseatic League (alongside other Baltic cities like Tallin, Estonia or Gdansk, Poland).
The Daugava river made for natural defense on one side, but walls were needed on the other. By the 1400s, large city walls fully encircled Riga. By, 1600s bastions has been built and natural streams turned into a moat connected to the river. By the 1700s, another ring of outer bastions were underway. Sadly, only the inner bastion and moat seems visible today. We're taking advantage and so can you. Join us for a run around the sites!
As always, Breaking Impossible & It's in the Signs brings you hidden, historical, interesting sites to encourage getting outside - connecting us all to place and planet through running and adventure. In this case, we also got to see a traditional parade (I'm figuring for Lent, which started a few days later).
Of course, part of adventuring is also enjoying afterwards. Can I just say a word about "Riga Black"? YUM! The cocktails were really a delight. The coffee and pastries? Fantastic!
We'll see you out there!
תגובות